Stages 0-1. Preparation, Survey and Brief
This is where we lay the foundations for everything that follows. A thorough survey and a well-written brief mean the design work that comes next is focused, efficient, and genuinely responds to your home and your needs.
We start with a measured survey of the critical areas of the existing house, including any current extensions, with drawings forming the basis of all design work, construction details, and cost estimates. From our discussion on site we then create your brief document, establishing your needs, preferences, and requirements for the new extension and any interior layout changes. This guides the whole process and clearly outlines the scope of work.
What to Expect on the Day
We’ll need access to most of the house to measure, which typically takes between three and eight hours. We can work around you at the house, or you can be out for the day, as suits your schedule. If you’re working from home we’ll work around your schedule.
On the day we’ll also need access to any manholes or drainage covers where possible, and we’ll ask for any drawings or information from previous work to the house, along with your current energy bills.
Directly after the survey we’ll sit down together to discuss your brief, or this can happen online at another time if that’s easier. We’ll cover your priorities, wishlist, budget, and anything that’s important to the project. A first draft brief is then emailed to you for review, and a refined version is sent for your final sign-off. We’ll also note any opportunities for energy retrofit, as well as risks and benefits to be aware of. Where there are doubts about the performance of the existing building, we use a thermal imaging camera to gain the clearest possible picture of the whole house.
As we close out this stage, you’ll receive your own personalised, interactive project Gantt chart, giving you a clear timeline of what happens when, from survey through to completion.
From clients
“This has been my/our first experience of working with an architect and we have both been really impressed with the service you have provided… the project planner is a very useful reference tool. As a client it’s very easy to understand and read, giving a clear indication where you are in the process.” Dave R – Bath
“During your initial visit you approached the work in a logical way and truly listened to what we wanted… Your flow-charts explaining the process definitely appealed to the project manager in me. I really felt that you were a professional that we could enjoy working with over the life of this project.” David and Claire F – Bristol
“In the very first meeting where we discussed what we were hoping to achieve it was obvious we were speaking to someone who could be trusted… What has really stood out throughout is just how much she listens and picks out the things that really matter to us… It is so clear that Verity really cares about getting things right for her clients, and her enthusiasm for her work and making our house the best possible home it can be really shines through.” Paul Mahoney, Bath
Included in Stage 0-1:
- Survey the relevant areas of the existing house.
- One meeting to discuss and develop the brief, on site or online
- Brief written up, amended, and signed off by you
- Existing building plans and elevations drawn up in the format required for planning submission
- Personalised interactive project timeline.
Overall Project Timeline:
Stage 0-1 > Stage 2-3 > Stage 3b > Stage 4a > Stage 4b > Stage 4c > Stage 4d > Stage 5a
Next Stage – Stage 2-3. Scheme Design:
Architects can work to great effect if given a clear brief/scope, but also some flexibility and freedom to explore ideas. This works well when combined with clients providing clear feedback on the designs presented, allowing the project to evolve as we work together.
Drawing Board and Instagram Feed
Always lovely to see spring is on the way during a survey visit this week.
This lovely Cotswold stone cottage, south of Bath, is getting an update, replacing an ageing conservatory with a modern rear dining extension.
The brief: maximum glazing and a standing seam metal roof to sit beautifully against the stone. Exciting things ahead.
Mar 6
Light and materiality working together—Batheaston extension.
Herringbone oak flooring throughout. Kitchen, dining, and living spaces overlooking elevated patio with views across Bath.
The project also included a dream garage for a classic car (a fellow MG owner!). Flexible studio with rooflight (yoga space now, annexe later if needed).
Every detail considered in plan and section to make the most of a challenging cranked plot and stepped levels.
Extension and renovation | Batheaston | Bath
Photography: @pete.helme
Feb 25
I`m pleased to share that I`ve won Best of Houzz Service for 2026—my fifth time receiving this award since 2021.
This recognition comes from client reviews, and I`m grateful to everyone who`s taken the time to share their experience.
Listening to clients, responding to the house and its context, and designing to the brief—when you get these fundamentals right, it shows in the results and in client satisfaction.
Thank you to everyone who`s worked with me over the past year. Here`s to another year of thoughtful extension and renovation projects across Bath, Bristol, and Wiltshire.
#residentialarchitecture #extensiondesign #batharchitect #bristolarchitecture #wiltshirearchitect #homerenovation #architectureaward #houzzaward #bestofhouzz #ukarchitect #extensionideas #houseextension
Feb 18
Batheaston extension—making the most of a cranked plot and a slim strip of additional land.
These clients bought the plot alongside their home and asked us to create a classic car garage, home studio (that could work as an annexe), and a large open-plan kitchen-dining-living space.
The bonuses: ensuite, southwest-facing roof terrace, and lower ground floor living that connects straight to the rear garden.
Traditional Bath stone exterior meets contemporary interior—plus a dream garage for a fellow MG owner.
Extension and renovation | Batheaston | Bath
Photography: @pete.helme
#batharchitecture #batheaston #residentialarchitecture #extensiondesign #classiccargarage #bathhomes #somersetarchitect #annexedesign #roofterrace #homeextension #bathstone #laceyarchitecture
Feb 11
What a wet January—been battling the lurgy and playing catch-up, finally sharing some photos from just before Christmas.
This was an unusual project in a historic, much-altered house. With its two staircases, circulation was tricky until we reworked the layout. Sometimes small-scale changes in a complex older property can have a transformative effect—releasing the plan and allowing the family to move forward.
We designed a scheme they could tackle in phases without moving out.
Phase 1 is now complete: removed a cramped original stair, installed this new oak feature staircase, created a separate home office, and reconfigured the first floor to create two upstairs bedrooms, and a generous family bathroom.
On to Phase 2...
#residentialarchitect #interiorarchitecture #homerenovation #historichomes
Feb 4
Design Presentation Day at Lacey Architecture
Laying out the full picture for clients—floor plans, elevations, precedent images, and material palettes all spread out for review. This is where weeks of listening, sketching, and refining come together into something tangible.
For this project, we`ve explored multiple floor plan options alongside everything from timber cladding details and zinc roofing to hung tile facades and crittall-style glazing. The presentation includes spatial alternatives, material combinations, and real-world examples to help clients visualise their future home.
Now it`s over to the clients to choose their preferred route forward.
Every extension and renovation project we take on in Bath, Bristol, and Somerset gets this level of care—detailed drawings paired with curated inspiration so nothing`s left to guesswork.
Currently booking projects for summer 2026 onwards.
Residential architecture | Extensions | Renovations | Bath | Bristol | Somerset
#residentialarchitecture #architecturaldesign #extensiondesign #bathhomes #bristolarchitecture #somersetbuilds #homerenovation #designpresentation #architecturepractice #timberclad #zincroofing #hungtiles #crittallwindows #homeextension #architectlife #smallpractice #laceyarchitecture
Jan 23
